Angels are a hot property these days, which explains the proliferation of
published decks with an angel theme. Naturally, there is a range of quality
with these decks, both in terms of structure and artistic content. Terry Lynn
Taylor is one of the more substantive angel authors and Brian Williams created
the art for this deck, so this offering is definitely in the highest echelon of angel deckdom.

Even the packaging is aesthetically pleasing to the eye; the set comes in an
eight and a half by five and a half inch box that displays one of Williams'
angels in the subtlest of pastels in the background, with a border of various
gold-foil patterns. The book cover is almost identical and its elegance makes
opening the book an inviting prospect. The cards are nestled beneath the book in
a well. The box does stick with age, making opening it somewhat of an athletic
adventure if you haven't looked at it in a while!

The 55 card deck is divided into three categories: Angel of the Season (4
cards), Symbol (24 cards), and Journey (27 cards). The Season cards are pretty
self-explanatory, as are the symbol cards, which range from objects and animals
you find in nature (tree, rainbow, lion, dove, clouds) to items associated with
angels (harp, wings) to
more idiosyncratic selections (Yin/Yang symbol, hearth, candle, telescope (!),
book). The descriptions for these cards are extremely brief. The authors focus
the majority of the book on the Journey cards, which are divided, like
the deck, into three sections: Soul, Spirit, and Nature. These cards are to be
read upright or reversed (with some exceptions, such as the Artful Dreaming and
Adversity cards, which have no reversals). Soul Journey cards relate to our
divine purpose, Spirit Journey cards connect us to our creative energy and
divine inspiration to assist us in that divine purpose, and the Nature Journey
cards draw in our physical connection to the divine.

Each of these cards is discussed at great length. The image and what it
represents is described and defined. An essay follows, along with upright and
reversed (if applicable) meanings. Finally comes "The Journey," a
card-appropriate meditation or exercise with "Room for Reflection"
questions to ponder at the end. The Journey for the Water
card involves a spiritual baptism meditation, the Journey for Earth,
an exercise where you have to select five things to take with you for a week
spent completely outdoors. As a decidedly indoors person, this journey taught me
some things I preferred not knowing about myself. As Earth Queen Martha Stewart
would say, "That's a good thing."

The authors describe the Angel Journey deck as an oracle, and spend
considerable time and space discussing oracular purpose, which they define as
asking for direction, and not necessarily a means of divining the future. Or, in
their words: "If we expect the oracle to tell us whether or not to do
something, we are, in essence, giving our power over to it. But when we ask for
direction, we are prepared to do the work."

While angel decks in general rarely hold much excitement for me, this deck
has one thing that convinced me to buy it: Brian Williams' artwork. It's just
lovely and poetic. While pastel doesn't usually excite me, either, Brian's
angels manage to be ethereal and human, graceful and real. Even the more mundane
subjects take on a classical patina in Brians' hands: the book is no Bantam
paperback but something out of antiquity, held reverently, even eloquently.

Cards measure approximately three by five inches and are on good, but not
sturdy, matte cardstock. Card backs are light
green and white, not reversible, and depict a many-feathered angel.

This deck is out of print, which is a shame when you consider the far
inferior angel products that you can still buy at your local Waldens. While I
don't recommend this deck for everyone, I think that anyone with a passing
interest in angels or tarot enthusiasts who have grown to appreciate the work of
Brian Williams would find the Angel Journey cards a set well worth tracking
down.

Excerpt:

Image: Jacob wrestling with the angel.

Represents: Adversity as the gateway to awareness.
Adversity as a natural part of life. Opportunity disguised as loss. Finding our
inner strength. Turning obstacles into challenges. Turning pain into art.
Knowing when to push ahead and when to retreat. Coming to a deeper understanding
and appreciation of joy through pain.

The biblical story of Jacob and his wrestling match
with the angel of the Lord casts an interesting light on the nature of
adversity. In the story, it is nighttime; a man appears to Jacob out of nowhere
and begins to wrestle with him. The struggle continues until daybreak, but Jacob
eventually reigns supreme and his mysterious adversary begs for a truce.
"Not until you bless me," says Jacob. The man blesses not only him but
the future generations of Israel. Sensing something out of the ordinary here,
Jacob asks the man his name and receives only the cryptic reply, "Why do
you ask me that?" The stranger disappears, and Jacob realizes that his
opponent was no ordinary human being--that Jacob had, in effect, "met the
Lord face to face" in this baffling, wondrous encounter.

Jacob's mysterious adversary, whom biblical scholars
refer to as an angel, can be viewed in the context of this card as the Angel of
Adversity. who bestows upon Jacob the gift of divine challenge. This challenge,
which we must all face in some way or another throughout our lives, is really a
gift, because it can bring out inner reserves of strength we never knew we had,
and it can carry us to new heights and triumphs. Like Jacob's angel, it can be a
blessing in disguise.

If you have drawn the Adversity card, take heart.
Know that what now seems a tragedy, a frustration, a cause for pain, is instead,
when viewed from the proper perspective, a chance for new growth, new insight,
new life. In his Book of Runes, Ralph Blum has an excellent term for
adversity: "opportunity disguised as loss." If you are facing a loss
in any way, from a loss of a person, relationship, or job to loss of a part of
yourself, perhaps the part that once seemed so relaxed, confident, and able to
handle anything, this card encourages you to view the situation not as a burden
or curse, but as an opportunity to learn about yourself and your own inner
resources. You are being asked to trust that the empty space of loss will be
filled, in time, with something even more wonderful and appropriate for you.

To the angels, adversity is a creative challenge.
When we overcome it, we also come in touch with our creative power, our inner
source of ingenuity and inventiveness that is always available to be drawn from
in any situation. The Adversity card tells us to take the creative approach to
our difficulties; learning to handle opposition inventively is the beginning of
wisdom. This may seem easier said than done, but remember: Great art is often
the outgrowth of great pain. This card asks, How can you turn obstacles into
challenges? What art can you make from your pain? This may be a good time to
begin expressing yourself creatively in writing, painting, dancing, acting, or
any way that can help you to leash your creative power and rechannel negative
into positive energy. Understand that in times of adversity, physical and mental
movement is crucial, for it will lead to a corresponding movement on the
emotional and spiritual levels of our being, and a change for the better is
inevitable.

You can read a tribute to the artist of this deck, Brian Williams,
here.